The Benefits of Ginger Juice
An Aromatic and Medicinal Root
Ginger is one of the pillars of Chinese traditional cooking and medicine: it is integrated into many dishes for its spicy flavor, and it is also consumed to strengthen the body as a whole. It is one of the richest foods in antioxidants, capable of slowing down cell aging.
Ginger is not only used in traditional medicine but is also recognized by health authorities like the WHO: it considers that ginger’s effectiveness is proven in ‘the prevention of nausea and vomiting’ and in cases of digestive problems.
Ginger, of which the rhizome (root) is consumed, is appreciated in Asia but also widely consumed in Africa, especially in the form of juice.
Fresh Ginger Juice, the Best Way to Consume Ginger
Ginger can be consumed in multiple forms: fresh rhizome can be found on our market stalls or in Asian stores. It can be eaten as is, grated and integrated into cooked dishes, vinaigrettes, or spicy desserts.
There’s also dry ginger, in powder form, but in this case, it will have lost some of its vitamins and flavor. Ginger can also be consumed as a dietary supplement, in capsules or pills. But why deprive yourself of its special taste?
One of the best ways to consume ginger is to make it into fresh juice: it is pressed using a juice extractor and consumed pure or mixed, to reap all its benefits.
Nutritional Value of Ginger Juice
Ginger is one of the richest foods in manganese, which plays a role in the transformation of carbohydrates and lipids, and in potassium, which notably influences blood pressure. The ginger rhizome is rich in B vitamins, particularly vitamin B3. It is also a good source of vitamin C: these vitamins largely disappear when the ginger is dried, hence the interest in consuming fresh ginger.
Ginger is low in calories: it contains 32.9 kcal per 100g. Therefore, ginger juice is a health beverage, provided little sugar is added. The only downside: the fibers naturally contained in the ginger rhizome will only be residual in your juice!
How to Consume Ginger Juice?
To be consumed as a natural remedy or… for pleasure
Ginger juice can be consumed as a natural remedy to treat many minor ailments. It can be an effective remedy for colds, runny noses, and slight fevers. It is also a remedy against nausea and vomiting, whether it’s motion sickness, post-operative nausea, or pregnancy-related troubles. It is consumed in small amounts in this case to avoid “not passing”, to be renewed regularly throughout the day.
Ginger juice is also an excellent natural energizing drink, to be consumed before intense physical or intellectual effort or to boost libido! Indeed, even though no scientific study has managed to prove it, ginger is traditionally considered an aphrodisiac for both men and women.
It can also be enjoyed for pleasure, like a classic juice, for an energy boost at breakfast or as a snack. Children can also consume it, although its spicy taste may not appeal to them. Furthermore, it is avoided in the evening to prevent sleep disturbances… Unless one does not want to sleep!
Ginger Juice Recipe
First of all, it is important to choose the right ginger: preferably opt for organic ginger, which can be found in specialized stores, to avoid any pesticide residues. Choose it firm, with a pale brown color, and you can break off a “branch” to check if the rhizome is juicy and fragrant.
There are several ginger juice recipes. You can opt for the African version, known in Ivory Coast as “gnamakoudji”. You will need 250g of fresh ginger, 1 liter of water, 250g of sugar, vanilla sugar, some fresh mint leaves, and the juice of one lemon or three limes.
Ginger juice is refreshing, spicy, and very invigorating: a 100% natural energy drink!
If you have a juice extractor, you can pass the sliced ginger rhizomes through the extractor before mixing everything. You can also blend them, then let this paste sit with water and lemon for ½ hour. Strain everything and add sugar, vanilla sugar, and mint leaves. If it’s too spicy, you can dilute it with water or pineapple juice. Ginger juice or gnamakoudji should be drunk well chilled!
One can also buy ginger juice commercially, whether it’s juice or a dietary supplement. In this case, the vitamin content will be lower, and manufacturers may add sugar or fruit juice in quantities to reduce the product’s cost. However, one can choose organic ginger juice without added sugars if there is no time to make it oneself.
